About This Degree

Psychology is the science of behavior and mental processes. The department is internationally known for its innovative research, teaching, and scholarship programs. Graduates are prepared for professions in mental health, research, education, and human service settings. Given that most career paths in psychology require graduate training, Utah State's psychology program is directed toward helping majors meet the prerequisites of competitive graduate programs and preparing them for research and graduate work in psychology.

Faculty involve students in research opportunities, which can be conducted in any number of Utah State’s excellent research facilities. Students are required to complete an apprenticeship course which allows them to gain work experience outside of the classroom. They are also encouraged to get involved with Psi Chi, the national honor society in psychology, in order to help them with their academic pursuits and get more information about opportunities available with a degree in psychology.

Students receive a BS by completing all required courses in the major. To receive a BA, students must also gain proficiency in one or more foreign languages.

Major Requirements

Advising

All new USU students participate in a New Student Orientation program, where they receive detailed information about major requirements, registering for classes, and other important advising information.

Professional Organizations, Honor Societies, and Clubs

American Psychological Association: Based in Washington, D.C., the APA is a scientific and professional organization that represents psychology in the United States. The mission of the APA is to advance the creation, communication, and application of psychological knowledge to benefit society and improve people’s lives.

American Psychological Society: This is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of scientific psychology and its representation at the national and international levels. Its mission is to promote, protect, and advance the interests of scientifically oriented psychology in research, application, teaching, and the improvement of human welfare.

Psi-Chi: This national honor society in psychology was founded in 1929 with the purpose of encouraging, stimulating, and maintaining excellence in scholarship, and advancing the science of psychology. Membership is open to graduates and undergraduates who are making the study of psychology one of their major interests.

Psychology Club: The purpose of this club is to promote increased involvement of students in the field of psychology. It aims to provide information about possible research and applied psychology setting opportunities on campus and in the community.

Labs, Centers, Research

With the second oldest undergraduate research program in the nation, USU offers students a wide range of opportunities to gain hands-on research experience. The Undergraduate Research and Creative Opportunities program allows students to apply for grants and receive funding. USU’s Honors Program prepares students for excellent graduate programs by helping them build relationships with professors, participate in research projects, take smaller, more intensive classes, and develop leadership skills.